Gathering boxes and other supplies

When you’re looking at everything you own and wondering how you’re going to pack it all away, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But packing can be a breeze if you ensure ahead of time that you have the essentials and an action plan in place.

Put together a moving folder

Consider gathering all of your important moving-related documents in one place so they’re easily accessible if you need them. Some examples of things you could include in your moving folder are rental papers, moving company contracts, insurance documents and information on how to switch over your utilities. If any questions come up during your move, your moving folder will have the answers.

Moving boxes

First things first: You’re going to need moving boxes before you can start packing, and they don’t need to be fancy. Whether you already have some on hand from a previous move or you purchase boxes from vendors like U-Haul or The Home Depot, consider assessing beforehand what you’re planning on packing so you’ll have an idea of how many boxes you’ll need, and what sizes.

Packing tape

Packing tape and moving boxes go together like peanut butter and jelly — in most cases, you can’t have one without the other! You may want to make sure you have a few rolls of packing tape on hand so you’re easily able to tape up your boxes.

What to use to protect valuables

Once you have your moving boxes and packing tape ready, consider your valuables and any breakable objects you might want to protect during the packing and moving process. Glasses, plates, mirrors and other fragile items can easily be protected with bubble wrap or packing paper. If you don’t want to spend extra cash on moving supplies, sheets or towels will work just as well.

Markers

Feeling unsure of where you packed everything because you forgot to label your boxes is never a great feeling. If you don’t already have markers on hand, consider purchasing some and labeling each box with its contents as you pack.

Dolly or hand truck

Dollies and hand trucks can be invaluable tools for moving boxes and furniture from your home to your vehicle with less effort than it takes to carry them. If you don’t own one already, consider whether purchasing one makes sense for your move.

Rope, bungees and tie-down straps

You’ve moved your boxes and furniture to your vehicle, and now it’s time to secure them! Look into using ropes, bungees or tie-down straps to ensure that nothing moves or is damaged on the way to your new home.